Canadian Film Weekly (Aug 9, 1944)

Page 10 Canadian FILM WEEKLY August 9, 1944 Bank Wins Opening Battle coming distribution of 19 features from studios con trolled by J. Arthur Rank and the presence in the Dominion of John Davis, general manager of Odeon Theatres of Great Britain, a Rank company, has focused attention on Rank's Canadian intentions. Because of the similarity in name of the British theatre company to Odeon Theatres of Canada and because Empire-Universal, like Canadian Odeon, is a Nathanson enterprise, the film world has become interested in the possibilities of 2 theatre dea] between the British and Canadian companies. The presence of Davis at the recent Empire-Universal convention was interpreted as indicating a future alliance. Paul Nathanson has denied that any arrangement had been entered into between Rank and he, saying that he hadn’t even been approached. It is hard to believe that Rank, who has admitted that he is interested in sharing the exhibition fields of the British Empire and Europe, will pass Canada up. Not so long ago a British trade paper announced that Rank had joined his interests with those of the Schlesinger circuit in South Africa and Odeon in Canada. This led to a halfhearted retraction. One thing is sure—if Rank wants to open up in Canada, nothing will deter him. The manner in which he brought Hollywood to terms indicates that he is a man who will not take no for an answer. Win or lose, he is a fighter. Overnight Rise It is but a few years ago that Rank seemed to rise from nowhere to challenge American domination of world production, distribution and exhibition of motion pictures, Eight years ago he, a staunch Methodist, founded the Religious Film Society. He was soon drawn to the commercial film industry. Armed with a fortune acquired in the flour milling industry, a keen brain and aggressiveness, he has made unprecedented progress. Today he controls British film production and almost 1,000 of Britain’s 4,500 theatres. With associates he now owns films and theatre companies capitalized at $65,000,000 and that, it seems, is only the beginning. He is frank about his international ambitions and Hollywood has concluded that he would make a better ally than an opponent. At first Hollywood wouldn't talk terms and prepared to fight Rank on his own ground by investing $50,000,000 in British production. Rank countered by indicating that he would fight | ea UNIVERSAL'S Deal With Emp-U and Presence of John Davis, Odeon British Chief, Draws Canadian Interest Hollywood right in the USA by opening his own distribution exchanges, seizing the European market and perhaps producing films on this continent, To this end he formed Eagle-Lion Distributors and staffed it with British and Americans. The world market provided Hollywood with from 40 to 60 per cent of its annual return, although wartime boom business at home and in unconquered coun-~ tries has more than made it up. British films received such poor distribution in the USA that a British newspaper correspondent in New York called that country the “graveyard of British films.” Rank, pointing out the outstanding support American films received in his country, asked reciprocity. Hollywood, accustomed to its own way, didn’t grant it quickly. It?s Different Now It was Rank’s contention that he could battle Hollywood the world over on even terms within four years. He admitted freely that British films had little international appeal and resolved to correct this. In little time he had established his sincerity in the minds of American film authorities. ‘¥f some of the British films made during the past year under unfavorable conditions may be considered samples of how British technique of film production is progressing,” said Nathan D. Golden, chief of the motion picture unit of the USA Bureau of Foreign and Domestic Commerce, in 1943, “the British bid fair to become our greatest competitors in the film markets of the world.” Rank invited Hollywood to cooperate. ‘‘We cannot, on the British market alone, recoup our costs of production,” he told the British press. ‘Therefore, without a world market, we shall be strangled.” He wanted more playing time for British films and was willing to spend $30,000,000 to open his own exchanges. “If a fight were forced on me,” he said, “T am ready and in a position to fight back.” The fact that he was strategically located for the establishment of his own stars and the conquest of the European markets made Hollywood think. There was talk that he has pre J. ARTHUR RANK fabricated theatres ready for erection in demolished Europe as soon aS peace comes. Now ‘Twentieth Century-Fox, through President Spyros Skouras’ arrangement with Rank, is distributing ten British features in the USA and United Artists’ is negotiating for the handling of all Rank-produced films for the American market, Today Rank’s position is such in the film world that no major move is even hinted at without everyone wondering where the British leader comes in, Empire-Universal List Those films produced by Rankcotrolled units to be distributed in Canada by Empire-Universal during the coming season are: This Happy Breed, a Noel Coward production in Technicolor, already proclaimed as a great film. ; The Demi Paradise, Laurence Olivier. Candlelight in Algeria, with Carla Lehmann and James Mason. The Gentle Sex, a Leslie Howard production. The Lamp Still Burns, Leslie Howard's last production before his death. English Without Tears, comedy. The Tawny Pipit, a comedymelodrama with Bernard Miles and Rosamond John. The Flemish Farm, adventure melodrama with Clive Brook, Jane Baxter and Clifford Evans. The Man in Grey, starring Margaret Lockwood, James Mason and Phyllis Calvert. An action romance with escapist element. Millions Like Us, starring Eric Portman. Story of the adventures of three girls, which features comedy. Secret Mission, with Carla Lehmann, Hugh Wilson and James Mason. King Arthur Was a Gentleman, starring Arthur Askey, rated as Britain’s top comedian last year. Dear Octopus, with Margaret Lockwood. Bees in Paradise, a starring Arthur Askey. They Met in the Dark, a mystery romance. Band Wagon, a musical with Arthur Askey, Patricia Kirkwood and Jack Hylton and his Band. He Found a Star, starring Sarah Churchill and Vic Oliver. Miss London Unlimited, with Arthur Askey and Evelyn Dall. Time Flies, with the fast-rising comedian, Tommy Handley. Many of the player are of established popular appeal in Canada and two, Carla Lehmann and Eric Portman, are from Winnipeg and Halifax respectively, starring a gay musical 4 . s e